Do I need a car seat?

Car seats are not standard in Thai taxis. Bring a portable, lightweight booster or travel vest if you plan on using cars frequently.

Never drink tap water. Use bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth, even in high-end hotels.

Planning a Thailand Trip with Young Kids

Focus on no more than two locations to avoid travel burnout and prioritize areas with direct beach access or walkable amenities. Stick to internal flights rather than long bus or train rides to keep transit times under three hours.

Choose your base. Pick one island (like Koh Samui) and one city (like Chiang Mai or Bangkok). Koh Samui is better for kids than Phuket because it has more compact, family-friendly beaches like Bophut.
Book domestic flights. Use Bangkok Airways for short hops between hubs. Avoid overnight trains; they are an adventure, but rarely result in a good night's sleep for children under 10.
Schedule for the heat. Plan all outdoor activities, like visiting temples or markets, before 10:00 AM. Spend the peak heat hours (12:00 PM to 3:00 PM) in the hotel pool or a nap.
Map out bathroom and snack stops. Download the 'Grab' app for reliable taxis with AC. Keep 20-baht coins for public restrooms, which are not always free or well-stocked with paper.

Do I need a car seat?: Car seats are not standard in Thai taxis. Bring a portable, lightweight booster or travel vest if you plan on using cars frequently.
Is the water safe?: Never drink tap water. Use bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth, even in high-end hotels.